The Wager

Not long after Tsunade returned to Konoha, rumors spread throughout the village that one of the Sannin was looking for a disciple. However, to become Tsunade's disciple, one had to pass three trials.

In the month after the news broke, many ninjas in Konoha went to participate in the trials with a "try-it-and-see" attitude, but no one was ever able to meet the requirements.

The news of Tsunade selecting a disciple caused quite a stir in the village, and Yusuke, who was in Konoha, naturally heard about it as well.

In Yusuke's view, Tsunade's search for a disciple was most likely related to the injuries of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato. After all, the purpose of Tsunade's return to the village this time was to examine the Fourth's condition.

From the accounts of the ninjas who failed the trials, Yusuke could discern that Tsunade was looking for someone with exceptional talent in chakra control.

Upon learning this information, the corners of Yusuke's mouth curled up slightly: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Hokage Office, in the Third Hokage's office.

"How is it? Have you not found a suitable candidate yet?" The Third Hokage asked Kakashi, who was standing to the side, his brow slightly furrowed.

Kakashi shook his head: "The trials set by Lady Tsunade are indeed extremely difficult. I tried them myself, but even I could not achieve the level of chakra control that Lady Tsunade requires."

The Third Hokage was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Tsunade and asked: "Is it possible to lower the standards a little?"

"Impossible. You must understand that the process of treating Minato cannot tolerate even the slightest error. If they cannot meet my requirements, it will only end up killing Minato!" Tsunade said firmly.

"To be honest, I didn't have much hope to begin with. Shizune is the child I've seen in recent years with the most relative talent for medical ninjutsu, yet she is still far from meeting the requirements to perform this technique. I never expected you to find a suitable candidate in such a short time."

Concerned for his teacher, Kakashi took two steps forward, knelt before Tsunade, bowed his head to the floor, and pleaded: "Lady Tsunade, you are the only one who can save the teacher now. If there is no suitable candidate, I implore you to stay in Konoha to treat the teacher."

For Kakashi, too many loved ones and friends had left him; he simply could not bear to watch his teacher lie in a hospital bed like a vegetable.

Tsunade sighed, but as someone who always did as she pleased, she would not abandon her plans just because of Kakashi's plea: "I'm sorry, I cannot agree to your request."

"Since there is no suitable candidate, I am prepared to leave the village today. I have left the testing methods with you; if you find someone who can pass the trials, you can contact me at any time. I will then teach them the method of treatment."

Just as despair filled Kakashi's heart, a messenger ninja suddenly knocked on the door: "Lord Third, good news!"

"Come in," the Third Hokage ordered.

The messenger ninja pushed the door open, followed by a white-haired, handsome boy of about eight or nine years old. This boy was none other than Yusuke's disciple, Kabuto.

"Lord Third, this boy has just completed all the trials required by Lady Tsunade! I brought him to see you and Lady Tsunade immediately," the messenger ninja said.

Hearing that someone had actually completed the trials she had set, and that it was such a young boy, Tsunade was surprised while also becoming interested in the youth before her. After all, if the other party truly possessed such extraordinary talent, taking on such a disciple would be a good thing.

Tsunade immediately called Kabuto to her side and tested him personally, discovering that Kabuto indeed possessed chakra control capabilities far exceeding those of ordinary people, even surpassing her own in some respects.

This discovery brought great joy to Tsunade's heart. Just as she was about to ask if Kabuto was willing to become her disciple, the words of Kakashi beside her were like a bucket of cold water.

"Kabuto, aren't you Yusuke's disciple?" Kakashi, who had already stood up, asked in confusion.

Upon hearing that someone had met Tsunade's requirements, Kakashi had initially been overjoyed, but seeing that it was Kabuto, he was very surprised.

"That's right. My teacher asked me to try Lady Tsunade's trials, saying it would test my chakra control abilities," Kabuto replied.

When he first entered the office and saw the Third Hokage and Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin, he had been slightly nervous. However, with his superior temperament, he quickly adjusted his emotions and became composed and respectful.

Is this beautiful sister one of the legendary Sannin? I didn't expect her to be so young! Looking at Tsunade, who appeared like a young girl, Kabuto couldn't help but think. Clearly, he too had been deceived by Tsunade's appearance.

Tsunade was actually over forty years old, but because of the effects of her Yin Seal in maintaining her youth and regulating her bodily functions, she still retained the appearance of a young girl.

Hearing Kabuto's answer, Tsunade frowned: "So, you are already someone else's disciple?"

"That's right. My teacher is Uchiha Yusuke," Kabuto nodded and said.

Hearing the words "Uchiha," Tsunade subconsciously frowned. Born into the Senju Clan, she did not have a favorable impression of the Uchiha Clan. However, she did not harbor the intense hostility toward the Uchiha that her great-uncle Senju Tobirama or Danzo did.

"Uchiha Yusuke, that name sounds a bit familiar," Tsunade muttered.

"Uchiha Yusuke is a Jonin in the village, nicknamed 'Flame Tachi,' and is now also hailed as the 'Number One Expert of the Uchiha.' He is a very capable ninja," Kakashi explained.

Tsunade nodded: "So it's him. Then I will go see him myself."

Tsunade already had the intention of taking Kabuto as her disciple. Knowing that Kabuto was Yusuke's disciple, she decided to talk to Yusuke to see if she could convince him to let her have this disciple.

"Lady Tsunade, if Kabuto cannot change his master to you—"

Before Kakashi could finish, Tsunade understood what he meant and interrupted: "Don't worry about that. Regardless, I can still teach him the method to treat Minato."

Hearing this, Kakashi and the Third Hokage both felt relieved. Tsunade was the type of person who acted decisively, so she immediately took Kabuto and headed toward the Uchiha Clan's compound to find Yusuke. Accompanying them were the worried Kakashi and Tsunade's disciple, Shizune.

At the Uchiha Clan's compound, Yusuke was instructing Itachi in ninjutsu, while Izumi watched from the side.

"Ninjutsu: Fire Illusion Crow Technique."

Itachi quickly formed hand seals, his body transforming into a crow clone that possessed both fire-attribute and illusion-attribute properties.

Seeing Itachi master his signature technique so quickly, Yusuke nodded with satisfaction. This technique was something he had improved upon by referencing Itachi's "Crow Clone Technique," so it was naturally very easy for Itachi to learn.

Izumi, standing nearby, also thought this technique was very cool, but unfortunately, she lacked talent for illusions and, after trying many times, still could not grasp the essentials.

Just then, the group saw Tsunade and the others approaching from a distance, so they stopped their training.

"Are you Uchiha Yusuke?" Looking at the boy of only fifteen or sixteen years old before her, Tsunade asked.

On the way over, she had heard some of Yusuke's deeds from Kakashi. Especially after learning about the battle process when Yusuke sparred with Shisui, Tsunade was greatly astonished.

From the information revealed by Kakashi, this Uchiha genius ninja she had heard of long ago was already an expert not inferior to herself.

Tsunade trusted Kakashi's judgment very much and naturally did not think Kakashi would exaggerate Yusuke's strength.

Just as Tsunade was sizing up Yusuke, Yusuke was also observing Tsunade.

Although this was not his first time seeing Tsunade, the two had never interacted before.

Tsunade was truly the most vividly depicted female character in the original Naruto series—beautiful, powerful, and possessing a distinct personality. You could say she was imperfect, but you could never say she lacked charm.

At this moment, Tsunade was wearing a short, female-style kimono, her long blonde hair tied into two braids behind her back. Her face was exquisite, with a blue diamond-shaped mark on her forehead, and the necklace left behind by the First Hokage hung around her slender neck.

To Yusuke, his first impression upon seeing Tsunade was that she was imposing.

Indeed, as the princess of the Senju Clan, Tsunade lacked any feminine coyness, instead possessing an aura that did not lose to any man. This aura did not diminish her charm; rather, it gave her an indescribable, heroic temperament.

"So it is Lady Tsunade. I wonder what brings you to the Uchiha Clan today?" Yusuke asked with a smile.

Although he was asking Tsunade, Yusuke naturally knew her intentions; this was the very purpose for which he had arranged for Kabuto to undergo Tsunade's test!

"Kabuto is an outstanding child, and I intend to take him as my disciple." Tsunade looked straight at Yusuke and got straight to the point. That was her personality—she always spoke her mind and never beat around the bush.

Hearing Tsunade's words, Yusuke chuckled inwardly, but he wore a troubled expression on his face: "I also value Kabuto very much. To be honest with you, Lady Tsunade, Kabuto has extraordinary talent in ninjutsu and is a capable assistant in my development of new techniques."

Tsunade frowned slightly and said: "Ninjutsu geniuses are a dime a dozen, but I have yet to meet anyone who can inherit my medical ninjutsu."

"I don't like to force people, but I truly cannot bear to give up on a talent like Kabuto. If you allow him to become my disciple, you can name any condition you wish."

As soon as Tsunade finished speaking, Kabuto looked at Yusuke with great concern. If it were up to him, he would not want to leave Yusuke to become someone else's disciple.

Yusuke pondered for a moment as if he were in a difficult position, and finally, as if he had made up his mind, he said: "I understand your considerations, Lady Tsunade, but from my perspective, I also do not wish to lose such an excellent disciple."

"How about this: let us have a wager and leave the outcome to fate!"

"If I lose, Kabuto will become your disciple, Lady Tsunade; however, if you lose, I have a small request that I hope you will grant!"

As always, thank you all for your support!!

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